Park Chan-wook’s Stoker earns 18 Rating in the UK

Debuting over the weekend out in Park City, Park Chan-wook’s Stoker has deservedly been one of the most anticipated films heading to Sundance this month.

The film sees Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, and Matthew Goode star in the leading trio, and the early reviews have been very promising. Our own Ty Cooper has seen Stoker out in Sundance and loves it, giving it a flawless five-star rating – you can read his review here.

Arriving in theatres in March, the film has already been given an R rating by the MPAA in the US, for “disturbing violent and sexual content.” And now the BBFC have given the film an 18 rating to match in the UK, citing:

“Strong sex, violence, and sexualised violence.”

We caught a brilliant new trailer for the film at the start of the week, confirming our suspicions about the film – both of how good it’s going to be, and that it will contain all that the BBFC says it does.

Park is of course a renowned filmmaker, and we would expect nothing less from the man responsible for the Vengeance trilogy. Each of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance earned an 18 rating in the UK, along with his most recent feature, Thirst.

“After India’s (Wasikowska’s) father dies in an auto accident, her Uncle Charlie (Goode), who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her emotionally unstable mother Evelyn (Kidman). Soon after his arrival, she comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives, but instead of feeling outrage or horror, this friendless girl becomes increasingly infatuated with him.”

Stoker sees Park directing from a script written by Wentworth Miller, making his debut as a screenwriter. And given how brilliant an actor he proved himself in Prison Break, I’m really looking forward to seeing his talents as a writer. The early reviews for Stoker would suggest it’s an impressive debut for him, following the script’s appearance on the Black List in 2010.

Stoker has its UK and US release date set for 1st March, and that’s definitely a date you’ll want to commit to memory.

Since graduating, I spend as much time as possible watching films/TV shows, reading books, and listening to music. So getting to write about what I love is nothing short of awesome.
Biggest film-related hope for 2014/ever: Guy Ritchie announcing the RocknRolla sequel is finally moving forward.